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Community Corner

Royal Oak Ridiculously Simple, Quick Valentine's Day Dates For Under $10

So it's Feb. 14 and you don't have a plan or money. Here is a little help to make you look like a pro.

The streets of Royal Oak are lined with a variety of date possibilities and there's a little something for every budget and taste. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about the money. Sometimes, an inexpensive and simple date is just what the heart (and wallet) desires. If you want to take your Valentine out on the town, but not looking to spend a lot of money here are some great date ideas, for under $10 each:

Enjoy a warm beverage and good conversation

Life is hectic. Why not relax for Valentine's Day? Any cafe will do the trick and Royal Oak has plenty of options. , 117 W. Fourth St., offers a calming tea experience for a laid back date. Decorated with genuine Chinese furniture, this place is a great spot to relax. For a large pot of select tea, Goldfish charges $6. The cafe also offers reasonably priced snacks. , 401 S. Main St., and , 300 S. Main St., both offer cozy chairs, delicious beverages and a fireplace.  A fireplace always brings a little romance to any date, right?

Savor a simple treat

If you're looking to fulfill the cravings of your sweet tooth, Royal Oak has just what you need. Just Baked, 32828 Woodward Ave., offers a huge variety of cupcakes and other baked goods. These cupcakes are a great snack. Flavors include, but aren't limited to, Grasshopper, Oreo Cookie and  Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup. Cupcakes are $2.95 or two for $5.50. If you're looking for a bit more variety, stop by , 320 S. Main St., which offers an array of cookies, brownies, pastries, cafe beverages and more, most costing about $3. Valentine's Day just wouldn't be the same without the classic gift of chocolate. , 417 S. Washington, is a Valentine's Day heaven. Take your Valentine to pick out her favorite chocolates. Gayle's offers a huge selection of truffles, chocolates and molded candy.

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Explore the arts

Royal Oak offers a variety of galleries and they're all worth checking out! Take your Valentine on a tour of local galleries and enjoy the sights. While making a purchase from these galleries may cost more than $10, browsing is free. , 323 E. Fourth St., is displaying Four Score. The exhibit features four urban artists: Mike Han, MALT (aka BrownBagDetroit), DENIAL and Peter DeAngelo.  Another noteworthy gallery in Royal Oak is , 119 S. Main St. Many pieces make this a worthwhile stop. The gallery features jewelry, paintings, and glass among other styles of artwork. For a taste of art and a delicious beverage, take your Valentine to , 106 S. Main St. The walls of the cafe are decorated with a photography exhibited titled Woodward Avenue: Mile by Mile. The display includes 52 local photographers. For anyone who enjoys photography, this is a must see.

Grab a bite to eat

Eating out can be expensive. Sometimes being thrifty can win you a great meal for a good price. , 215 Fifth Ave., features great daily specials. Food specials on Monday include half off all pizzas and 25 cent wings. Drink specials will also be available all day Monday. Another pizza option is , 316 W. Fourth St., which offers personal cheese pizzas for only $3.99 and 69 cents a topping. If you like your pizza stuffed, it's only 89 cents extra. It even provides a coupon on its website for 15 percent off your bill. Great food and entertainment team up at . Make a pit stop by its website to snag a Buy One, Get One Free coupon for any menu item. To sweeten the deal, starting at 7 p.m., O'Tooles will be hosting free trivia.

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Be entertained

If you're looking for a bit of entertainment on your Valentine's Day, Royal Oak has a few inexpensive options. For a classic date approach, visit the re, 118 N. Main. On weekdays, the theater offers $5 tickets for all movies before 6 p.m. A more adventurous approach is available at the , 1403 Lexington Blvd. Public ice skating will be available Monday from 11:30 a.m.-1:20 p.m. The price is just $4 per adult and $2 for skate rental. For a truly spectacular date, at absolutely no cost, stop by the for an Adventure Pass. The pass, which can be checked out from most local libraries, allows free excess to local museums. For a full list and more info visit www.detroitadventurepass.org.

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